IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,633,152
Granted Patent B2
US 10,633,152 · App. 15/906,382 · Granted Apr 28, 2020

Internal vent handle cover arrangement; and methods

Inventors: Scott T. Billadeau (Missoula, MT); David J. Yakos (Bozeman, MT); Joel R. Switzer (Belgrade, MT)
Assignee: Planetary Design
B65D51/1683B65D81/245B65D39/0052B65D39/16B65D2205/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,633,152
App. No.
15/906,382
Granted
Apr 28, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an internal cover/vent handle arrangement, in association with a container, such as a 5 gallon bucket with a slanted sidewall for evacuating air volume above stored material. The disclosure relates to a squeeze-actuated vent valve arrangement arranged and configured to be easily operated even while deeply recessed in the bucket. The disclosure also relates to a deflectable outer seal arrangement configured to seal against a slanted sidewall of a bucket.

Claims (18)

1. A method of venting a container, the method comprising:

(a) squeezing a vent handle arrangement configured on an internal cover, the internal cover having a vent arrangement extending through the internal cover; the step of squeezing including squeezing the vent handle arrangement having a stationary handle member and a squeeze-actuated vent valve arrangement the vent valve arrangement including a movable squeeze-actuated valve member positioned between a portion of the stationary handle member and the vent arrangement, the vent valve arrangement configured to have:

(i) a first, open, squeezed orientation in which the vent arrangement is open to permit a passage of air through the internal cover; and

(ii) a second, closed, release orientation in which the vent arrangement is closed to the passage of air through the internal cover; and

(b) pushing the internal cover along an inside of a container with a slanted sidewall while the internal cover is in sealing engagement with the slanted sidewall.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of pushing the internal cover includes pushing the internal cover having a deflectable outer seal arrangement oriented in extension around an outer perimeter of the cover; wherein the deflectable outer seal arrangement includes a deflectable perimeter flange arrangement having a rest shape extending non-orthogonal to a direction between the exterior and interior surfaces of the cover.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of pushing the internal cover includes pushing the internal cover having a deflectable outer seal arrangement oriented in extension around an outer perimeter of the cover; wherein the deflectable outer seal arrangement includes a deflectable perimeter flange arrangement having a rest shape extending non-orthogonal to a direction between the exterior and interior surfaces of the cover.

4. The method of claim 3 further including simultaneously gripping the stationary handle member and the moveable, squeeze-actuated, valve member together to squeeze to move the vent handle arrangement to the first, open, squeezed orientation; and (ii) release to move the deflectable outer seal arrangement.

5. The method of claim 1 further including using a biasing arrangement to bias the moveable, squeeze-actuated, valve member to the second, closed, orientation when released; and wherein the moveable, squeeze-actuated, valve member includes at least one seal pad configured to be biased against at least a portion of the vent arrangement when the vent handle arrangement is in the second, closed, release orientation.

6. A method of venting a container; the method comprising:

(a) providing a main cover body having: an outer perimeter; and, opposite exterior and interior surfaces; a vent arrangement extending through the main cover body;

(b) providing a vent handle arrangement comprising: a stationary handle member and a moveable squeeze-actuated vent valve arrangement configured to have:

(i) a first, open, squeezed orientation in which the vent arrangement is open to permit a passage of air through the main cover body; and

(ii) a second, closed, release orientation in which the vent arrangement is closed to the passage of air through the main cover body;

wherein the squeeze-actuated vent valve arrangement includes a moveable, squeeze-actuated, valve member positioned between a portion of the stationary handle member and the vent valve arrangement;

(c) providing a deflectable outer seal arrangement oriented in extension around the outer perimeter of the main cover body; and

(d) simultaneously gripping the stationary handle member and the moveable, squeeze-actuated, valve member together by: (i) squeezing to move the vent handle arrangement to the first, open, squeezed orientation; and (ii) releasing to move the deflectable outer seal arrangement.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing a deflectable outer seal arrangement includes providing a deflectable perimeter flange arrangement having a rest shape extending at an acute angle to a direction between the exterior and interior surfaces of the main cover body.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2023
From: PLANETARY DESIGN, LLC
To: RATTLER HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063528/0981 →
Continuity (2)
Division 14639358 · Mar 5, 2015
Related Publication 20180186525A1 · Jul 5, 2018